Disability Service Officer

The duties of a Disability Service Officer are similar to, and can sometimes overlap with, those of a disability support worker. The main difference is that a disability service officer tends to be responsible for planning aspects of care, as opposed to carrying out everyday home-based duties or accompanying clients and patients on errands and other appointments.

The primary job of a Disability Service Officer is to help those with a range of issues live their everyday lives freely through the use of available resources. These resources include educational and professional courses and programs as well facilities and services for overall medical and financial support. Disability Service Officers assess clients and patients to see which resources best suit their needs and monitor progress to determine if new avenues need to be sought. Disability service officers will also liaise with friends, family and colleagues of clients and patients to help establish a network of support.

Future demand High
Average yearly income $83,200
Skill level Beginner

How do I become a disability service officer?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
CHC33021

Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
On Campus, Online
3 - 18 months
$27 - $3,600
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Personal Carer Aged Care Worker Residential Care Worker
Community Care Worker Home Care Assistance Worker Disability Support Worker Trainee Support Worker Home Carer Aboriginal Disability Worker Disability Service Officer Disability Team Leader Senior Support Worker
+ 9 more
CHC33021

Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability)
On Campus, Online
5 - 12 months
$567 - $3,375
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Aged Care Worker Personal Carer Residential Care Worker
Community Care Worker Home Care Assistance Worker Trainee Support Worker Disability Support Worker Home Carer Aboriginal Disability Worker Aboriginal Aged Care Worker Disability Service Officer Senior Support Worker
+ 9 more
Recommended
CHC43121

Certificate IV in Disability Support
Blended, On Campus, Online
6 - 12 months
$99 - $7,000
  • Completed Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) or equivalent qualifications OR
  • Completion of CHC30408 Certificate III in Disability PLUS the CHCSS00125 Entry to Certificate IV in Disability Support Skill Set.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Service Officer Disability Team Leader Disability Support Worker
Aboriginal Disability Worker
+ 1 more
  • Completed Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) or equivalent qualifications OR
  • Completion of CHC30408 Certificate III in Disability PLUS the CHCSS00125 Entry to Certificate IV in Disability Support Skill Set.
  • Completion of CHC30408 Certificate III in Disability PLUS the CHCSS00125 Entry to Certificate IV in Disability Support Skill Set.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Service Officer Disability Team Leader Disability Support Worker Aboriginal Disability Worker + 1 more
PSP30218

Certificate III in Auslan
Blended, On Campus
4 - 12 months
$0 - $13,080
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Support Worker Disability Service Officer
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Support Worker Disability Service Officer
PSP40818

Certificate IV in Auslan
Blended, On Campus
5 - 18 months
$0 - $10,318
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Support Worker Disability Service Officer
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Support Worker Disability Service Officer
22469VIC

Course in Introduction to the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Distance, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
2 - 10 weeks
$0 - $420
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Support Worker Disability Service Officer Personal Carer
Community Care Worker
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Support Worker Disability Service Officer Personal Carer Community Care Worker + 1 more
11076NAT

Diploma of Leadership in Disability Services
Online
24 months
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Service Officer Disability Support Worker Disability Team Leader
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Service Officer Disability Support Worker Disability Team Leader
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

Related occupations

Personal Carer

Personal Carers support elderly and vulnerable individuals with daily tasks, providing companionship and liaising with families and healthcare professionals.

Avg yearly income $62,400
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Residential Care Worker

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Avg yearly income $62,400
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Community Care Worker

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Home Care Assistance Worker

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Residential Care Officer

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Avg yearly income $62,400
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Aged Care Manager

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Disability Support Worker

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Avg yearly income $78,000
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Disability Team Leader

Disability Team Leaders manage support teams, ensuring effective care for clients by delegating tasks, monitoring assessments, and providing hands-on assistance.

Avg yearly income $83,200
Skill level Beginner

Trainee Support Worker

A Trainee Support Worker assists clients with daily activities in aged care or disability services, offering practical and emotional support.

Avg yearly income $52,000
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Lifestyle Coordinator

A Lifestyle Coordinator plans and organises activities and events for residents in care facilities, focusing on their physical, social, and emotional needs.

Avg yearly income $70,200
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Aboriginal Disability Worker

An Aboriginal Disability Worker assists Indigenous individuals with disabilities in daily activities, fostering community engagement and support.

Avg yearly income $49,920
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Diversional Therapist

A Diversional Therapist organises activities for individuals with specific needs, addressing social, physical, and emotional well-being while ensuring effective communication.

Avg yearly income $83,200
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Avg yearly income $61,880
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Avg yearly income $73,580
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Avg yearly income $65,000
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Behaviour Therapist

Behaviour Therapists help people make positive behaviour changes using various therapies, like CBT and hypnotherapy, to treat diverse issues.

Avg yearly income $79,976
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Disability Advocate

A Disability Advocate helps individuals with disabilities navigate systems, ensuring their rights and needs are met to enhance their quality of life.

Avg yearly income $82,368
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Common questions

How much do Disability Service Officers earn?

In Australia, a full time disability service officer generally earns $1,600 per week ($83,200 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.

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What are the job opportunities for Disability Service Officers?

There isn't clear data on disability service officer positions specifically. However, aged and disability support worker jobs as a whole have grown strongly in recent years. They are expected to continue to be a strong source of employment around the country. As of May 2019, there were approximately 177,000 aged and disabled carer jobs in Australia. That number could potentially rise to 222,000 in 2024. Some reports indicate the possibility of about 35,800 job openings per year over that span.

Source: The Labour Market Information Portal - 2019 Occupational Projections and Australian Government Job Outlook

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How long does it take to become a Disability Service Officer?

Many disability service officer jobs require completion of more advanced qualifications and/or some experience in the support industry. One such qualification that could potentially prepare you for a disability service officer position is a Certificate IV in Disability. This can take around 12 months to complete depending on if you choose to study on campus, online or through blended study modes and whether you study full or part time. This qualification also has a work placement component. Individual Support or other support studies specialising in Aged and Disability Support can be helpful, though each position can have different requirements.

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Further reading

What can you do with a Certificate IV in Business (Administration)?

7th March 2022

What can you do with a Certificate IV in Legal Services?

3rd March 2022

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